Hi. I have a 96 dodge ram 1500 v6 single cab truck. I have been told its a 3.9L ? It was running fine. I stopped. Parked. Turned off. 2 minutes later I went to start it and it made a really high pitched whizzing noise. I stopped. Tried again. Same.I stopped. Had a guy look at it. He tried and same then backfired. So I'm told timing chain. I buy new one. Gears and all. Had a non professional replace for me. All together. Same sound. Now. He says he lined dots. I am a bartender and have asked a couple "master mechanics" with different answers. Another guy says it might be 180 out. One guy actually checked for compression said none.. Now its like a hung jury on whether timing was done properly or I have interference motor or not. .....after the verdict...should I have it broke back down to check timing fix?...have it rebuilt if bent...replace engine...junk it? ..sell for parts?...Obviously I'm a single chick and not a rich one . I do have a guy that said if i find an engine he has equipment to change for me and will do so for free. But do i need that and what will that cost? What would be cheapest? Im really freaked out here. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT TO DO.. PLEASE. Trish

 

Welcome to DF.

What was the original symptom? Did the engine crank at all? Or did you just get rude noises from the starter motor?

What did the old timing set look like? Any stripped teeth? Broken gears?

Jury is still out on whether it is an interference engine or not.... have had reports both ways...

If the starter isn't actually cranking the engine, (I am suspecting the noise you are hearing is simply the starter gear grinding on the ring gear on the torque converter....) you won't get any compression....

Don't suppose you could post a video (with audio) of what it is doing could you?

 

If the timing chain did break then it would turn over faster than normal and have an odd sound to it. If the chain broke and the person that installed the timing chain set did not get the motor all lined up right, yes it could be 180 out. There are two ways to set this motor up timing mark wise, dots at 6 and 12 the dizzy will point to cyld 6, bot dots at 12 the dizzy will point at cyld 1.

As for if its an interference motor I once thought NO but am more and more leaning towards it being an interference motor.

If parts are bent, then its up to you as to what you do. Fix it, flog it, burn it, give it away whatever. If you go find a used motor make sure it has comp test done and oil psi test done BEFORE you buy it.

I suggest you try and pick one tech to help you, and try to keep that tech happy and on course.

My first step would be to verify that the motor is turning over via the starter, then confirm that the motor has no comp. If no comp then either tear it back down to the t chain set it all up right, then see if it has comp or not. If it has comp then try running it up, no comp well time to figure out your next step, new motor, rebuild the motor, install a good used motor or sell it.

As with any DF member if you are close to where I live I can offer to help you out.

 

OK. So I'm told it was turning but nothing on the top . we just got snow here in st.Louis so I will not be going to the truck to take pictures ! The chain was just hanging there. The chain did not break but some teeth did. The guy who changed it said he did the dot to dot and no compression. I did find a motor for $500 from a 95 dodgedDakota I was told will fit. ? *sigh
I wish I was rich! or had a trust fund at least!

 

And why is it such a mystery on whether this motor is interference or not?? Lol!

 

Simple way to find out, if somebody has one torn apart, compress a valve with the piston at TDC.

 

The 95 motor will work just fine. Just use the intake, and various sensors from your motor.